Κυριακή, 5 Δεκεμβρίου 2010

Reg King, frontman for the influential 1960s Mod band the Action died of cancer on Monday, Nov. 8, the UK's Independent reports. King, who has been publicly acknowledged as an influence by both Paul Weller and Phil Collins, was 65.

The Action, whose music was largely derived from soul and R&B, formed in 1963 and were known initially as the Boys. The band first backed singer Sandra Berry on the King-penned 1964 single 'Really Gonna Shake' before recording their own single debut, 'It Ain't Fair' later that year.

The acclaim of that single, also written by King, earned the band the interest of Beatles producer George Martin, who signed the group -- which also counted drummer Roger Powell, Alan "Bam" King, bassist Mike "Ace" Evans and rhythm guitarist Peter Watson -- to Parlophone in 1965. After a name change, the Action had a run of UK hits with blue-eyed soul renditions of popular songs like Cannibal and the Headhunters' 'Land of a Thousand Dances,' the Marvellettes' 'I'll Keep on Holding On' and the Radiants' 'Baby You've Got It.'

In 1967, under King's direction, the group shifted back to originals, writing its fourth single, 'Never Ever'/'Twenty Fourth Hour.' For its fifth and final A-side, the band changed gears to deliver the psychedelic rock number 'Shadows and Reflections.' Although King left the band later that year, his former bandmates backed him on his eponymous 1971 solo album that featured guest appearances by Steve Winwood and the Rolling Stones' Mick Taylor.

Although 'Reg King' stalled commercially, renewed interest in the cult figure prompted a CD reissue in 2006. The band reunited in 2000, with King's final performance occurring at 2004's Modstock.(from Spinner)

Reg King belonged to the Action, Mighty Baby, Blossom Toes, B.B. Blunder family tree, leaving the Action before they became Mighty Baby and performing with (ex-Blossom Toes) B.B. Blunder after releasing this acclaimed and rare solo record.

Members from the bands above would form the backbone for this project, recorded over three years and guesting Stevie Winwood on keys. The Action had cut their teeth covering Motown soul during the mid 60s and those influences had not gone amiss for this LP, albeit through distorted guitars and stoney jams. The leadoff track “Must Be Something Else Around” is a blistering slice of hard English rock that probably gave Led Zep a brief jolt of anxiety. “That Ain’t Living” has the explosive impatience of certain tracks I know from The Action, but add this album’s key ingredient: raw and relentless blue-eyed soul, propelled by Reg King’s voice – probably the best of the British hard-rock-soul singers.

It’s not a grand slam on the other hand. I’m not much of a blues-hound, so “Down The Drain,” or six-minutes of predictable blues doesn’t do it for me. But “That Ain’t Living” pushes hard through a fully worthwhile six of spirited rock. There are a couple less memorable tracks, but the good hooks make this record worth a spin. Perhaps a good introduction to the Action family tree .